More than 30 households were left destitute on Sunday after heavy downpours triggered flash floods and strong winds across several wards in Malawi’s northern city of Mzuzu.
City disaster management officials said at least six wards were affected, with Zolozolo bearing the brunt of the damage.
Many homes were inundated, leaving families in urgent need of food and shelter.
“The stormy rains have indeed caused havoc such that we are all up and down assisting those affected,” said Macdonald Gondwe, Mzuzu City Council’s disaster expert.
He added that ward disaster committees are on the ground assessing damage and coordinating relief efforts.
Other affected areas include Chiputula, Katawa, Masasa and Mzilawayingwe.
The incident underscores Malawi’s vulnerability to flooding, particularly in urban centres like Mzuzu where poor drainage and rapid urbanization exacerbate storm impacts.
Seasonal heavy rains often lead to flash floods and landslides, displacing communities and straining local disaster response systems.
In recent years, the country has also faced devastating cyclones, including Cyclone Idai in 2019 and Cyclone Freddy in 2023, which highlighted the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
JN/APA